Lesson Plan
Preposition Practice
Book: José Altuve: Baseball Star Series: Biggest Names in Sports Level: Navigator
Objective
To help students practice using prepositions and explaining their functions in specific sentences.
Supplies
• José Altuve: Baseball Star
• Preposition Practice Words (attached) • Whiteboard
• 2 tables
• Preposition Practice Statements and Answers (attached) Before the Activity
Have students read the José Altuve book. Print two copies of the Preposition Practice Words and cut them apart so that each word is on a separate slip of paper.
Activity
Start by reviewing what a preposition is. Explain that a preposition is a word that tells how a noun or pronoun is related to other words in a sentence. For example, write the following sentence on the whiteboard and underline the words over, to, in, and with:
• Altuve tossed the ball over the pitcher to the first baseman, who caught the ball in his glove with his left hand.
Explain that all the underlined words are prepositions. Each one shows a different relationship. Over shows how the ball moved past the pitcher. To shows the direction Altuve tossed the ball. In and with show how the first baseman caught the ball.
Divide students into two teams. The teams should sit at separate tables. Place a set of Preposition Practice Words on the table in front of each team. On each team’s turn, read one sentence from the Preposition Practice Statements and Answers out loud. But instead of reading the preposition listed in red, say the word blank. Students should choose a word from the table in front of them to fill this blank. Give students 30 seconds to make their choice. One student should hold the slip of paper with that word up in the air. If the team chooses the right
word, the team gets one point. The student can earn a bonus point by explaining the function of that preposition in the sentence. The student should say what nouns the preposition goes with or what relationship it explains.
Note: In some cases, students’ answers may not match the word listed in red. However, if an answer is still grammatically correct and if the student can explain its function in the sentence, accept that answer as correct.
Evaluation
The team with the most points at the end wins. Standards
This lesson may be used to address the Common Core State Standards’ language standards, grade 5 (L 5.1).
Preposition Practice Words
with
in
to
about
of
without
from
for
over
on
after
by
Preposition Practice Statements and Answers
1. José Altuve wanted to start the 2017 postseason _______ a bang.
shows how he finished the postseason
2. The Houston Astros second baseman stepped up _______ the plate.
shows where he stepped
3. It was his first at bat in Game 1 _______ the American League Division Series.
shows which series Game 1 belonged to
4. Altuve took two strikes _______ Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale.
shows who threw the strikes
5. The ball sailed _______ the fence in center field.
shows how the ball passed the fence
6. The Astros topped the Yankees in seven games to earn a trip _______ the World Series.
shows where their trip went
7. With two outs in the bottom _______ the ninth inning, the Astros were leading 5–1.
shows which inning it was
8. The Dodgers’ batter hit a grounder _______ second base.
shows where the batter hit the grounder
9. The Astros were World Series champions _______ that great play!
shows when the Astros became champions
10. Altuve grew up _______ Maracay, Venezuela.
shows where he grew up
11. This South American city is passionate _______ baseball.
shows what the city feels passion for
12. José learned how to play baseball _______ his father, Carlos.
shows who taught Altuve to play baseball
13. Sometimes they played _________ gloves.
shows how they played
14. José moved _______ the United States in 2008.
shows where Altuve moved
15. He played _______ the Astros’ minor league team in Greeneville, Tennessee.
shows what team he was part of
16. _______ two seasons, Altuve moved up to the next level of minor league baseball.
shows what happened before Altuve’s move
17. In July 2011, Altuve began to play _______ a major league team.
shows what kind of team Altuve played for
18. Altuve was one of the shortest players _______ any major league team.
shows what kind of players were taller than Altuve
19. Many people were skeptical _______ his ability because of his height.
shows what quality people doubted
20. But the 21-year-old quickly showed that he could compete _______ the top players.
shows who Altuve competed against
with to of from over to of to after in about from without to for After on on about with
21. By 2012, Altuve was one of the top young stars _______ major league baseball.
shows what kind of a young star he was
22. But 2012 was not a good year _______ the Astros.
shows who did not have a good year
23. _______ the next year, they had the worst record in team history.
shows when they had the worst record
24. However, Altuve continued to make one great play _______ another.
shows that Altuve made a series of great plays
25. The Astros offered him a new contract _______ a huge salary.
shows what the contract included
26. Altuve accepted the contract _________ delay.
shows how Altuve accepted the contract
27. The Astros looked forward _______ more great things from Altuve in 2014.
shows what the Astros were anticipating
28. He finished the season _______ a .341 batting average.
shows how he finished the season
29. That year, the Astros began show to signs _______ improvement.
shows what kinds of signs the Astros showed
30. They didn’t reach the postseason, but they were moving _______ the right direction.
shows how they were changing
31. _______ the next year, the Astros continued to improve.
shows the time period during which they improved
32. ___ the final day of the regular season in 2015, they clinched a spot in the Wild Card Game.
shows when they got their spot
33. The Astros reached the postseason _______ the first time in 10 years.
shows how long it had been since they reached the postseason
34. They were defeated _______ the Kansas City Royals in the Division Series.
shows who defeated them
35. But Astros fans were excited _______ Altuve’s continued success.
shows what made Astros fans excited
36. Altuve even won his first Gold Glove Award _______ his excellent defense.
shows why Altuve won the award
37. In 2017, the Astros had one of the best records _______ baseball.
shows what kind of record they had
38. They had gone _______ the bottom of the league to the top.
shows where the team had started
39. They went on to beat the Dodgers _______ the World Series.
shows where/when they beat the Dodgers
40. _______ the 2017 season, Altuve was named the American League Most Valuable Player.
shows what happened before Altuve was named MVP
41. Altuve’s success _______ the field had shown that small players can accomplish big things.
shows where Altuve had success
in for By after with without to with of in Over On for by about for in from in After on
